What is the Lutheran view of sin and repentance?

[conRep12]

I’ve watched the linked video a couple of times and still can’t quite understand the point Pastor Fisk is making. I’m sure part of that is because, as he usually does, he’s taken the opportunity to misunderstand and deride Catholicism, so for the rest of the video, I’m trying to figure out what distinctions he’s making between Lutheran and misunderstood Catholic teaching on sin and repentance. The other part of my difficulty in finding his point is that he seems to be professing a contradiction by saying that sin is bad and we should be very concerned with actively rooting it out of our lives by the grace of the Crucifixion while still asserting that our faith is the only thing that matters and works are to no avail. If works are worthless and Christ blankets over and disguises our sin, why should we be so concerned with repentance and amendment?

youtube.com/watch?v=Z-ktWT4MuRc

 

[JonNC]

I’ve watched the linked video a couple of times and still can’t quite understand the point Pastor Fisk is making. I’m sure part of that is because, as he usually does, he’s taken the opportunity to misunderstand and deride Catholicism, so for the rest of the video, I’m trying to figure out what distinctions he’s making between Lutheran and misunderstood Catholic teaching on sin and repentance. The other part of my difficulty in finding his point is that he seems to be professing a contradiction by saying that sin is bad and we should be very concerned with actively rooting it out of our lives by the grace of the Crucifixion while still asserting that our faith is the only thing that matters and works are to no avail. If works are worthless and Christ blankets over and disguises our sin, why should we be so concerned with repentance and amendment?

youtube.com/watch?v=Z-ktWT4MuRc

Where does true repentence come from? It comes from the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, ie., faith. Repentence is not a work. Confession is not a work, other than the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
So, there is no contradiction in saying that by grace, the only thing that avails before God is faith, and not works, lest no one may boast.
But, as Luther says, faith must be sincere. It must be a true faith that works through love.

In short, here is what the CA says:

Article XI: Of Confession.

1] Of Confession they teach that Private Absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession 2] an enumeration of all sins is not necessary. For it is impossible according to the Psalm: Who can understand his errors? Ps. 19:12.

Article XII: Of Repentance.

1] Of Repentance they teach that for those who have fallen after Baptism there is remission of sins whenever they are converted 2] and that the Church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to repentance. Now, repentance consists properly of these 3] two parts: One is contrition, that is, 4] terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of 5] the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for Christ’s sake, sins are forgiven, comforts 6] the conscience, and delivers it from terrors. Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruits of repentance.

7] They condemn the Anabaptists, who deny that those once justified can lose the Holy Ghost. Also those who contend that some may attain to such 8] perfection in this life that they cannot sin.

9] The Novatians also are condemned, who would not absolve such as had fallen after Baptism, though they returned to repentance.

10] They also are rejected who do not teach that remission of sins comes through faith but command us to merit grace through satisfactions of our own.

As for good works, in part:

Article XX: Of Good Works.
…
27] Furthermore, it is taught on our part that it is necessary to do good works, not that we should trust to merit grace by them, but because it is the will of God. 28] It is only by faith that forgiveness of sins is apprehended, and that, for nothing. 29] And because through faith the Holy Ghost is received, hearts are renewed and endowed with new affections, so as to be able to bring forth good works. 30] For Ambrose says: Faith is the mother of a good will and right doing. 31] For man’s powers without the Holy Ghost are full of ungodly affections, and are too weak to do works which are good in God’s sight. 32] Besides, they are in the power of the devil who impels men to divers sins, 33] to ungodly opinions, to open crimes. This we may see in the philosophers, who, although they endeavored to live an honest life could not succeed, 34] but were defiled with many open crimes. Such is the feebleness of man when he is without faith and without the Holy Ghost, and governs himself only by human strength.

35] Hence it may be readily seen that this doctrine is not to be charged with prohibiting good works, but rather the more to be commended, because it shows how we are enabled to do good works. 36] For without faith human nature can in no wise do the works of the First or of the Second Commandment. 37] Without faith it does not call upon God, nor expect anything from God, nor bear the cross, but seeks, and trusts in, man’s help. 38] And thus, when there is no faith and trust in God all manner of lusts and human devices rule in the heart. 39] Wherefore Christ said, John 15:5: Without Me ye can do nothing; 40] and the Church sings:

Lacking Thy divine favor,

There is nothing found in man,

Naught in him is harmless.

Jon